Allergy season arrives early to the Lowcountry

MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. (WCIV) -- Are you sneezing, wheezing or sniffling?If so, you are not alone.

Many people are suffering from allergy symptoms already this year. The culprit is the early pollen season caused by the mild temperatures this winter. In fact, by the middle of January the pollen count was already in the medium range.

"It's difficult to predict but in a nice place like Charleston, you can count on having tree pollen in the spring, grass pollen in the summer, and wheat pollen in the fall," said Dr. Thomas Murphy, Allergy Specialist.

And once the pollen comes to town, it can become miserable for people with allergies.

"Pollens can be very difficult to avoid as you can imagine because they are flying around in the air, but local things like animal avoidance, dust mite avoidance, doing local things for molds where there has been water intrusion and things, so there is a lot that can be done," says Dr. Murphy.

Dr. Murphy also says that it is very important to identify what exactly you are allergic to by having an allergy test done. Once you realize what makes you sneeze, then you can monitor the pollen count, which can change dramatically from one day to the next depending on the weather.

"The other thing that is helpful is medical therapy so that you can begin treatment," says Dr. Murphy. "Other even long lasting treatments like allergy injections or allergy immunotherapy can be very helpful for long lasting relief."

Experts say just because the pollen season started early doesn't mean that it will end early.